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Mattituck will rely on array of pitchers

Mattituck pitcher Marcus Perivolaris (17) warms up in between innings in Game 2 of the Suffolk Class A finals against Babylon at Babylon High School on Wednesday, May 27, 2015. Photo Credit: Steven Ryan

Making their first state semifinals appearance since 1983, the Tuckers (25-1) have a stable of solid pitchers who will be tasked with shutting down an Ogdensburg group that averaged 7.8 runs per game, according to Max Preps.

Marcos Perivolaris fired a two-hit shutout in the Long Island Class B Championship, and Joe Tardif allowed four hits in 61/3 innings in Mattituck's 10-inning 9-5 win over Albertus Magnus in the Southeast Region Class B Final, where the Tuckers' season ended last year.

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Mattituck also has proved to be a potent offensive team, its five-run outburst in the 10th inning against Albertus Magnus serving as the most recent example. The Tuckers have scored 10 or more runs 12 times.

"Hopefully, we still have a little something in us to get the victory upstate," said Chris Dwyer, who went 4-for-6 with five RBIs and earned the win in the regional championship.

Vinny Ciaravino, Zachary DiBlanda, Austin Sala and Glen Middendorf are the four returning starters from last year's state Class D championship squad. Ciaravino and Ben Damon, who moved into the starting catching role as a senior, have captained Smithtown Christian (11-10) and guided the Knights back upstate, where they will run into an undefeated Fort Ann squad.

Connetquot last reached the state semifinals in 1995, before any current Thunderbirds were born. Given the fortitude and resilience Connetquot (25-4) showed last week, coach Bob Ambrosini doesn't expect the pressure of his players' first state appearance to be overwhelming.

"This is a very tight group of kids," Ambrosini said. "I think it was a very difficult time emotionally for the kids and parents and community, but everyone pulled together stronger for John."

That unity pushed Connetquot past Ward Melville in the Suffolk championship and MacArthur for the Long Island Class AA title.

"They respond well to playing in difficult situations," Ambrosini said. "They responded great last week and I expect them to respond the same way."

Southold First Settlers, Class C

Semifinal opponent: Hoosic Valley (22-1)

When: Saturday, 10 a.m.

Where: Binghamton University, Vestal.

With Alex Poliwoda leading the way, Southold (22-2) beat Tuckahoe in the Southeast Region Class C final to reach the state semifinals for the first time in program history.

Hoosic Valley is led by John Rooney, a senior lefty who is 34-0 in his high school career, according to the Times Union.

Division Blue Dragons, Class A

Semifinal opponent: Byram Hills (20-5)

When: Saturday, 10 a.m.

Where: Maine-Endwell High School; Endwell.

Division (26-4) beat two-time defending Long Island Class A champion Bayport-Blue Point in a rematch of last year's Long Island final to return to states for the first time since 2011. The Blue Dragons, who have never won a state title at the Class A level, took the 1996 state Class B championship.